Defense Committee Okays The Ratification Of US Military Deal

The joint-committee on Defence and Interior and the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of Parliament want the ratification of the controversial military agreement between Ghana and the United States of America.

According to Power 97.9 FM’s Parliamentary correspondent, Princess Arita Anim, despite public outcry over the agreement which will give the US troops unfettered access to Ghana’s security facilities, the committee believes the pact will help Ghana.

According to the committee’s report, “The Committee therefore recommends to the House to adopt this report and ratify by resolution, the agreement between the government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Ghana on Defence Cooperation, the Status of United States Forces and access to and use of agreed facilities and areas in the republic of Ghana in accordance with Article 75 (2) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders of the House.”

But the Minority leader,Hon Haruna Iddrissu told journalists at Parliament the Minority would argue out their case that the pact is not in the interest of the Ghanaian people.

He also indicated that there cannot be consensus on the issue.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the agreement as “dangerous” and will amount to the sale of Ghana’s sovereignty.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) stormed parliament to protest the ratification of the security agreement.

Top officials of the NDC including their chairman, Kofi Portuphy, General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and his deputy, Koku Anyidohu were seen on Friday morning at Parliament House clad in red, while some had red bands on their heads and arms.

Speaking to the media, Chairman of the NDC, Kofi Portuphy said the agreement will not help the country in any way than to make the citizens vulnerable.

“These people are to use our radio spectrum for free yet we can’t do that on their land. These people (the US) deny us visa and don’t refund any thing to us. So why do we have to give them that chance?”

Mr Portuphy said their protest seeks to stop the legislature from ratifying the agreement which he described as wicked.

“If the US troops come and establish themselves here, Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda will attack us because the US is their enemy. Look at what happened at Burkina,” he added.